From the Research
Teething itself does not directly cause fever in infants, and any fever during teething is more likely due to coincidental infections or illnesses. When babies are teething, they typically experience mild symptoms like irritability, drooling, and gum soreness, but a true fever (temperature above 100.4°F or 38°C) is not caused by teething alone 1. If your baby has a fever during teething, it's more likely due to coincidental infections or illnesses that happen to occur during the same period. Teething babies often put their hands and objects in their mouths, which can introduce germs and lead to infections that cause fever.
Some studies have investigated the relationship between teething and fever, and the majority of them have found no significant association between the two 2, 3. For example, a study published in Pediatrics in 2000 found that child temperatures were similar on toothdays and non-toothdays, and logistic regression adjusted for age did not show an association between toothdays and temperature 2. Another study published in the same journal in 2000 found that only parent-reported loose stools were significantly associated with tooth eruption, but this association was no longer apparent when the toothday definition was varied 2.
If your baby has a fever, don't automatically attribute it to teething - consider other possible causes and consult a healthcare provider, especially for fevers above 100.4°F, fevers lasting more than two days, or if your baby shows other concerning symptoms like decreased feeding, lethargy, or unusual fussiness. For teething discomfort without fever, you can offer a clean, cool teething ring, gently massage the gums with a clean finger, or use age-appropriate over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for babies over 6 months) following proper dosing guidelines.
Key points to consider:
- Teething does not directly cause fever in infants
- Fever during teething is more likely due to coincidental infections or illnesses
- Mild symptoms like irritability, drooling, and gum soreness are common during teething
- Consult a healthcare provider if your baby has a fever, especially if it's above 100.4°F or lasts more than two days
- Use age-appropriate pain relievers and teething aids to help soothe your baby's discomfort during teething 4, 5.